Lothlorien... I had wanted to come here since the moment I learned Galadriel was my mother. I suddenly feel my body start to shake with nervousness as we glance forward to see in the distance the shimmer of the large forest of Lothlorien. As we near the forest I pull away from Boromir and giving him a forced smile say, "Thank you," He gives me a slight nod before moving in front of me leaving me to bring up the rear of our fellowship.

I had known he was going to fall and I even knew that he was still alive but that didn't stop the hurt. Especially as I look at all the saddened faces around me. I wish I could tell them but I knew against it, they would all learn in due time. As we run across a forest floor strewn with yellow flowers, above is a roof of golden leaves, held up by silver pillars; the trunks of huge, grey trees. I find myself staring in awe. "Stay close, young hobbits. They say a Sorceress lives in these woods. An elf-witch of terrible power. All who look upon her fall under her spell, and are never seen again!" Gimli says and I narrow my eyes as I say, "Watch it Gimli, that's my mother you're talking about." All save for Aragorn and Legolas stop and stare at me wide eyed. "Well, here's one dwarf she won't ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!" Gimli continues suddenly stopping as an elf appears an arrow aimed right at his face.

The Fellowship looks around as we are suddenly surrounded by armed Elves, deadly arrows aimed at their heads. An elf with long blond hair steps forward and he looks at Gimli with disdain. "The dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark." I narrow my eyes about to say something hateful when Aragorn chimes in with, "Haldir of Lorien, we come here for your help. We need your protection." 

"Aragorn! These woods are perilous. We should go back." Gimli says obviously uncomfortable to be surrounded by elves.

"You have entered the realm of the Lady of the Wood. You cannot go back." Haldir says his eyes locking onto Frodo. "Come, she is waiting." He continues not even looking at me. I try again to say something when Legolas touches my arm and shakes his head. I tilt my head in confusion but remain quiet. Why didn't he want me to say anything?

Haldir leads us onto a Hill Top. When we arrive I stare in wonderment at the vista spread before us. Several miles towards the South, a Large Hill rises out of the woods. Upon the hill rise many mighty Mallorn Trees, taller than any others. Nestled high in the crown of the Mallorns is a Beautiful City. It gleams in the low rays of the late afternoon sun; green, gold, and silver. To the east of Caras Galadhon, the Woods of Lorien run down the pale gleam of Anduin, the great river. Beyond the River, the land appears flat and empty, formless and vague, until far away, it rises again like a dark and dreary wall. The Sun that lies on Lothlorien has not power to enlighten the shadows that lie beyond.

We continue walking until we are brought to a large chamber. We step onto a wide fleet filled with a soft light. The walls are green and silver, the roof gold and in its midst is the trunk of the mighty Mallorn tree, now tapering toward its crown. A tall elf steps forward to greet his guests. His hair is long and silver, his face grave and beautiful, with no sign of age upon it. Next to him stands a female elf. She has hair of deep gold and timeless, unsurpassed beauty. "Nine there are, yet ten there were set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf, for I much desire to speak with him." The male elf says but I can't pull my eyes away from the female elf.

"The Quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail, to the ruin of all...Yet hope remains while the company is true." The female elf says and my heart jumps in my throat as I realize that said elf is my own mother Galadriel. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you will sleep in peace." She finishes and I watch as everyone starts to walk away leaving me standing there staring like an idiot at the beautiful woman who was my mother.

She seems not to notice me until she happens to glance back at me her eyes widening as she says, "Henig," She slowly starts to walk toward me making tears slowly fill my eyes as I say, "Nana," 

Before I am able to react she throws her arms around me and says, "Goheno nin," I stand there for a moment before I finally let my arms wrap around her pulling her into me tightly. "It's okay, I forgive you." 

She pulls away and smiling gently runs her hands through my hair as tears fill her eyes. "I should never have sent you away." 

My body tenses as I say, "Then why did you? Didn't you want me?" 

She reaches down and taking my hands in hers says, "Of course I wanted you, things were complicated and the only way to protect you was to send you away."

"Why?" I ask starting to feel my anger get the better of me. Her face fills with sorrow and regret at she says, "Because I had no other choice, you my child are special." 

"How, how am I special?!" I yell out a little louder than I meant too as I rip my hands from hers. 

"I cannot tell you." 

I scoff in anger as I lose my temper, "You can't tell me, seriously? This is bullshit! Do you have any idea what I've been through?" 

She stands straight her full height towering over me, "Do not speak to me like that, I am your mother!" 

"Mother? Seriously you feel you have the right to call yourself my mother? No I had a mother and you are not her!"

My anger reaching its boiling point I turn and rush off into the direction my companions had gone. Gimli, Legolas, Merry, Pippin, Frodo and Sam are in a pavilion set among the trees near the fountain. They lie on soft couches as Elves leave food and wine for them. When I reach them Aragorn turns toward me about to say something and I glare at him as I say, "Don't even say it." He raises his hands and I walk past him throwing myself down onto one of the lavish couches they had given the rest of my companions. I let out a scream into one of the pillows before rolling over onto my back and staring up at the ceiling. Mournful singing drifts down from the trees above.

"A lament for Gandalf," I hear Legolas say sadly and I gulp down a breath of air as I slowly look over at my companions. 

"What do they say about him?" Merry asks and I bite my lips as I start deciphering their words myself. 

"I have not the heart to tell you. For me, the grief is still too near." Legolas says as he sits down on a couch near to mine.

 I sigh as I force myself to sit up and turning to him say, "Can I speak to you alone?" 

His blue eyes find mine before he nods and says, "You can."

He stands up and gently holds his hand out to me. Taking it he lifts me to my feet and then turns heading down a long corridor with me following closely behind. When we are alone he turns to me and says, "What did you wish to speak to me about?" 

I sigh as I say, "I think it was a mistake to come here." 

"What do you mean?" 

"I shouldn't have come here I should have stayed in Rivendell, hell I should have stayed back home; even if the people who raised me were starting to regret it." 

I feel his hands gently touch my upper arms as he says, "No one could regret knowing you."

I sigh as I say, "I met my mother." 

"Oh," He says curiosity in his voice. 

"I blew it, I let my anger get the better of me. I wanted to know why she sent me away and when she said she couldn't tell me I lost it. I said some things I shouldn't have and I regret it." "Have you thought about telling her this?" I shake my head as I let out a heavy sigh. His hands tighten on my arms and I look up into his eyes. I felt like they were hiding some unknown feeling behind them.

I suddenly forget what I was saying as I find myself drowning in their deep blue pools. I stare at him as his eyes suddenly dart from mine to my lips making bite my lip. He reaches his hand up and gently touching my cheek smiles at me and says, "Êl síla erin lû e-govaned vîn." 

I smile as I say, "Hîr vuin Legolas," 

He smiles back at me as he tilts my chin up and gently places his lips against mine. As his lips touch mine my body erupts in a wave of passion making my arms fly up and wrap around his neck deepening our kiss. I suddenly realize that he smells like fresh pine needles and oak trees. I smile into his lips as I feel his hands wrap around my waist, everywhere his hands touched were starting to heat up.

I suddenly feel eyes on us and I pull away looking away from him instantly meeting the eyes of my mother. "Nana," I say my eyes wide. 

She smiles as she says, "Legolas may I have a moment with my daughter?" 

I glance over to see his face tinted pink as he nods and says, "Of course my lady." Before I am able to say anything he walks off leaving me there alone. 'Dammit!' I cry out in my head as I try to calm my heart.

"______, I want to apologize for everything I have done. When I had you, Middle Earth was not a safe place. We had just learned that Sauron had betrayed us and in result of the prelude to the war it was not safe for you. I used a little of your own magic to send you away from here. I did not know that you would have grown up in hardship." 

I sigh as I walk over to her and say, "I didn't have a hard life but it wasn't easy." She nods and I reach for her hands as I say, "I'm sorry I got so upset. It's just I have dreamt of meeting you since I found out you were my mother; everything I wanted to ask you and I guess I let my temper get the better of me."

"I forgive you, now I feel I should tell you what you wish to tear." 

I raise an eyebrow as I say, "Didn't you already tell me why you sent me away?" 

She nods as she says, "I have; but you also wish to know who your father is do you not?" 

My eyes widen as I say, "I do actually," 

She takes a deep breath as she says, "You father's name is Mithrandir," 

My eyes widen as I realize who it is, "Gandalf? Gandalf is my father?" 

She nods as she says a faint smile on her beautiful face, "I was young and he was my first love." 

I let out a sigh of relief as I say, "You don't know how happy that makes me; I thought Sauron was my father."

Her eyes narrow at me as she says, "What gave you that idea?" I quickly explain to her how I was somehow connected to the ring and she shakes her head. "That is strange to me, I do not understand." I watch as her beautiful face tries to put together invisible pieces of my story. 

"Could it be that somehow Sauron got a hold of me before I left?" 

She shakes her head as she says, "Tis not possible you were-" she pauses a sudden recognition filling her face. "There was a brief moment after you were born when you were unsupervised. It is possible that somehow he may have sent a spy to do something to you."

My eyes widen as I say, "Then that explains why he wants me. I am half elf, half Istari; there is no limit to my abilities. He wants me to change sides and help him." I gulp down a breath of air before I say, "No matter what happens I will never join him. I know how this all plays out and he's not the one who wins. Good shall triumph over evil." She reaches over a smile covering her lips as she pulls my head toward her gently placing a kiss upon my brow. 

"I told you that you were special." 

I smile as I throw my arms around her and say, "Thank you for telling me everything."

"I wish you would stay here in Lorien with me, but I know you will not." 

I smile as I say, "I will return to you." 

"I must go I am going to have a conversation with the ring bearer, but you already knew that." 

I smile as I say, "I did." 

"One more thing before I take my leave, I see you and Legolas are getting to know each other." 

My face flushes as I say, "I have decided that I will try to get to know him before I decide on whether or not I marry him." She smiles as she starts to walk away leaving with a knowing look. When she is gone I let out a heavy sigh. Knowing everything about myself didn't seem to make me feel any better. I was still confused as to who I was and what I really wanted. I shake the thoughts from my head as I walk back to where my companions were. When I arrive my companions are asleep on their beds. Gimli is snoring loudly. I smile brightly as I walk over and grabbing a piece of bread walk back over to the couch I had been sitting on before and plopping down on it start nibbling on the bread. Before I know it I join them in sleep but my dreams were all but pleasant.

I glance around to see once again the familiar sight of Sauron's great eye peering down upon me. "My child I see you have made it to Lothlorien, soon we shall be together again." I hear his distorted voice say and my blood starts to curdle. 

"I am not you child!" I cry out trying my hardest to be brave. 

Suddenly he appears before me and I find myself staring at the very image of the mysterious man in my sketchbook. His face was surprisingly very handsome with his chestnut hair and glowing orange eyes, contrasting very well with his ivory skin.

"This isn't possible," I say as I stare wide eyed my body frozen in shock. 

"Is it not?" He says as he walks over to me raising his hand and gently touching my face. "You've grown even more beautiful than I could have even imagined, just like your mother." 

Finding my voice I pull away from him and say, "Do not touch me." 

His eyes narrow their fire growing wilder. "Do you not know who brought you here? You are mine to control, to command." 

"I take orders from no one! You misogynistic prick!" I say as I find my anger and courage.

"You are my blood you will have no choice but to join me." He says as sly smile covering his face. 

"Jesus Christ how many times do I have to say it you are not my father!" 

His smile grows as he says, "I may not have been their when you were conceived but I was after your birth." 

"What the hell does that mean?"

"I placed a piece of myself inside you, my blood is coursing through those veins of yours." 

I all the sudden turn from him and hold up a hand as I say, "I think I'm gonna be sick." 

"You think yourself humorous?" He says once again reaching out and grabbing your arm this time his touch burns against your skin.

All the sudden I feel my anger grow as an unseen force fills my body. Jerking my arm out of his grasp I feel my voice turn distorted as I say, "I will not tell you again servant of Morgoth! Do not touch me!" 

All the sudden a bright flash of light emanates from my body flowing out like a wave throwing Sauron back away from me him landing hard on the ground a few feet away. "I will not take too kindly to being manhandled!" I say my voice growing louder. 

His eyes turn back to me, anger and rage filling them as he says, "This is not over, I shall have what I need. You will join my side it is inevitable." Then without warning he turns back into the great eye of Sauron and as he rushes toward me I awaken breathing heavily a cold sweat pouring down my face.

I glance around at my companions still fast asleep and sigh. I still didn't understand. My head starts to swim as the thoughts bombard my mind. Why did he call himself my father when he himself said he's not? I groan out in annoyance as I run a hand through my hair. I look over to see that Frodo was now back and sleeping a few feet away from me. All the memories of the books fill my mind making me smile. He was going through hell and it was only going to get worse but he would prevail. Such a lucky little Hobbit. Letting out a sigh I reach down and pulling my sketchbook out open it up to the picture of the mystery man and sighing write Sauron next to it.

I stare at the photo for a while before I once again glance up to see the sleeping faces of my friends. Smiling I flip to a blank page and taking a quick look at them start drawing their innocent sleeping forms. It was a few hours later before anyone woke up. By the time I finished my last drawing Boromir was rousing the Hobbits from their slumber. I watch as Boromir stares lovingly at Merry and Pippin as they fight against waking up.

I knew I couldn't let him die, he was overall a peaceful soul. Here in this moment I make a vow to keep all my companions alive no matter the costs. I see Legolas rise out of the corner of my eye and my face flushes pink. All the sudden I feel his breath by my ear and I turn to see him smiling at my drawing. "Tis a fair likeness." He says and I turn back to see that the page he was looking at was of him sleeping and I instantly close the book my face now as red as an apple. "Um I uh," I stumble with my words as he smiles and giving me a polite nod heads over to where Aragorn was packing.

I groan out in frustration as I stand and placing my sketchbook back in my bag say, "See if I kiss you again." 

"Kiss whom?" I hear a familiar male voice say and my eyes widen as I turn to see Boromir smirking at me. 

"Um nothing," I say as I force a laugh. "I'm just gonna- yeah okay." I turn and quickly make my way to a wash tub and wash my face hoping that it would make my blush go away.

A few moments later we are called in small elven boats. We row away from the Lothlorien Shore into the Silverlode River. Elves quietly watch us depart. I think back to right before we left and smile as I remember the gifts my mother had given everyone. I watch as handing Legolas a bow says, "My gift to you Legolas is a Bow of the Galadhrim; worthy of the skill of our woodland kin." Smiling she moves to Merry and Pippin to whom she gives two daggers saying, "These are the daggers of Anoduili, they have already seen service in war. Do not fear young Peregrin Took, you will find your courage."

"And for you young Samwise Gamgee, elven rope known as Hithline." Sam nods before glanching at Merry and Pippin and saying, "Do you not have anymore of those nice shiny daggers?" causing Galadriel to smile brightly. When she arrives at Gimli she asks, "And what gift would a dwarf ask of us elves?" 

"Nothing, except to look upon the lady Galadriel on last time; For she is more fair than all the jewels beneath the Earth." He replies making my mother laugh fondly. He starts to walk away before he stops and turning back says something none of us are able to hear.

When she arrives at Aragorn she says, "I have nothing greater to give, than the gift you already bare." The next few sentences I avoid listening to, to give them some privacy. She then moves to Frodo as she gives Frodo a small Crystal Phial. "Farewell, Frodo Baggins. I give you the light of Earendil, our most beloved star." She says with a smile before she gently places a kiss on his forehead. "May it be light for you in dark places when all other lights go out." She then moves to Boromir to whom she gives a solid gold belt crafted in Lórien, shaped like linked golden leaves.

When she reaches me she smiles and kisses my brow. "There is nothing I can give you save for my undying love and promise that if you ever need me I shall be there." I smile as I wrap my arms around her and say, "Gi melin Nana," Her arms tighten around me as she says so only I can hear, "Be safe my child." Then with a quick nod my companions and I climb into the boats and start rowing down the river. As our boats drift past, Galadriel stands alone, watching from the banks of the river giving us a single wave. The boats pass into the great river Anduin. The Three Elven boats carry the Fellowship steadily southward. Green trees slowly give way to a brown and withered land.

"I have taken the last swoon of this parting, for I looked my last upon that which was fairest. Henceforth I will recall nothing fairer than her gift to me." Gimli says causing me to smile. 

"What was it?" Legolas asks as he slowly places his row into the water. 

"I asked her for one hair from her golden head, she gave me three." I smile as I gently place my hand into the water letting it trail along creating ripples that trailed behind us.